RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Sandy Shortridge 757-925-3627 sandy.shortridge@virginiadot.org Jeff Caldwell 804-524-6179

HRO-0323 April 21, 2003

Traffic Pattern Change Coming to the Midtown Tunnel

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Motorists traveling the Midtown Tunnel (U.S. Route 58) between Norfolk and Portsmouth should be alert to a new traffic pattern beginning this Wednesday.

Traffic headed westbound out of the Midtown Tunnel towards Portsmouth will remain in a single lane for a longer period of time. The westbound traffic will shift onto eastbound lanes, taking away one of the existing lanes in each direction for about 2500 feet. Westbound traffic will open up to two lanes again near Harper Avenue.

Eastbound traffic headed to Norfolk will merge to one lane sooner before entering the Midtown Tunnel. The Midtown Tunnel is a two-lane tunnel with one lane of travel in each direction. This traffic change does not reduce tunnel capacity.

The lane shift is part of the large-scale Pinners Point Interchange construction project and is necessary so crews can begin installing supports for the bridge over the railroad and Harper Avenue. Crews will also start building a new ramp from Route 58 east to the Western Freeway (Route 164) west. This lane shift will be in place for at least five months. Signs will warn motorists of the switch.

When finished, the Pinners Point construction project in Portsmouth will provide an interstate-type connection from Portsmouth’s Western Freeway into the Portsmouth Marine Terminal and the Midtown Tunnel.

The project serves three major purposes: it removes traffic from the historic Port Norfolk neighborhood; provides a more direct route for industrial traffic to and from the terminal; and ensures faster, easier access to the tunnel for commuters. Traffic volumes through this area are expected to reach 49,000 commuters and truckers in 20 years. Consequently, congestion through the Port Norfolk neighborhood poses safety hazards for residents, but also has a direct economic impact for industrial traffic to and from the Port of Virginia.

When the project is complete in 2005, Port Norfolk residents will see a reduction in traffic by more than 80 percent. Additionally, industrial access to Portsmouth Marine Terminal will be smoother and easier than ever before.

For more information about this or any road construction project, motorists are encouraged to visit www.VirginiaDOT.org.

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